UNITED STATES - The House passed a more than $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill on Friday, sending it up to President Biden for his signature. This marks a critical step in the President’s economic plans and puts roughly $550 billion in new funding toward transportation, broadband, and utilities. According to a report from CNBC, the bill could be signed within days.
Several key components of the bill include modernizing the United States’ outdated transportation network, with historic investments for roads, bridges, waterways, and western water projects across the country.
Western Growers issued a statement regarding the bill’s passage and how it will deliver major water improvements for the West.
“Western fresh produce growers and indeed farmers throughout the West have reason to celebrate passage of this bipartisan infrastructure bill,” stated President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Puglia. “The inclusion of $8 billion dedicated to addressing critical water supply needs will provide significant benefits for family farmers and rural communities across the West experiencing climate change impacts, historic drought, regulatory pressures, and wildfire. The funding for additional water, forestry, and ecosystem restoration programs is vital to safeguarding our domestic agricultural production and long-term food security.”
Puglia went on to applaud the efforts of both the House and the Senate for coming together to pass this bill.
“We appreciate the good work of our House and Senate champions who understood the need for, and worked tirelessly to secure substantial investments in Western water supply priorities, including repairing aging dams and canals, building new surface and groundwater storage and conveyance facilities, and funding water conservation and recycling projects,” he added. “Following President Biden’s signature, we urge the Administration to quickly drive implementation of these provisions. Time, like water, is in short supply. We cannot let red tape and activist litigation stall or block the many long-overdue projects necessary to repair and enhance our aging water infrastructure and develop reliable new sources of water supply.”
As we continue to battle supply chain issues, this bill comes at a crucial moment. We will continue to report on how this legislation helps mitigate the situation.
